The Practice of the Presence of God the Best Rule of a Holy Life

ully in a screen of wood that bordered a by-road about half a league from Grinselhof. A young man got out of it, and, gi

es and thickets, as if seeking to avoid observation; and then, stealing across the bridge, he op

im as he approached; and, although he advanced with the utmost caution, the sound of his footsteps disturbed her in the intense silence of the spot, and she leaped to her feet, while the name of Gus

all I hope, I will either die here at your feet, or I will go hence forever, a broken-hearted wanderer over the face of the earth! Listen

features assumed an expression of wounded

Grinselhof after your uncle's insulting conduct to my father! He is ill in bed; hi

ar you accuse me? Alas! what have

girl. "If we are not as rich as you, the blood that runs in our vein

ifting his clasped hands toward her

began to start in her eyes, and, turni

on? Will you remain insensible to my grief and deaf to my prayers? 'Tis well; I will submit to my lot, for you have d

o fail him, and, sinking into the chair which Lenora ha

e glanced backward at the convulsed frame of her lover, a spasm that denoted the violent conflict between duty and affection passed over her beautiful face; and, as her heart appeared gradually to co

hed, Gustave? Are

ife seemed once more to stir in his veins, and, raising his eyes langui

n pity on my agony? You do not hate me, do you?" "Is a love l

Is it not eternal, Lenora, and omnipotent against e

r head and cast

ge the pangs of absence, let it strengthen and encourage you. My lonely heart will keep your image sacred in its holiest shrine; I will follow you in

n of joy; "you are mistaken! There is still hope; my uncle is not

me, Gustave; I have already disobeyed my father's orders too long, and slighted my duty in remaining with a man who cannot b

r empire over my excited soul. My uncle is goodness itself to me: he pardoned my sin; but he imposed the condition that I should instantly undertake a journey with him to Italy, which he has long designed making. He idly hopes that travel may obliterate your image from my mind; but think not, Lenora, that I can ever forget you! A sudden thought flashed through my fancy, an

t gaze was full of rapture at the vision of future happiness; but the gleam disap

this last hope of your heart; and yet I must d

red for a

ther would pardon all and rec

n too deeply wounded. As a Christian he might pardon it

, 'I will make your child happy; give her to me for my wife; I will surround her path with all

ast down

said she. "My happiness is his only thought

on this dreary journey, but let me bear along with me the assurance that you await my return with trust in God. Remember me in your prayers; utter my name as you stray through these lonely paths which wi

; and the rebellious heart which so lately was ready to cast off its rosy fetters had n

nd my loved one with a confident hope. Whatever may happen to me, I wil

at I will forget you!" sobbed the m

Gustave. "Can you force

r the first time in my life I will disobey my father. I feel that I have net the strength to keep my idle wor

ere under the guardian eye of God. Thy image will follow me in my journey like a protecting angel; in joy and grief, by day and night, in health and sicknes

nds convulsivel

nk on the chair and allowed the pent-up pa